Argentina will continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a tough trip to Montevideo to face Uruguay on Friday. The 2022 World Cup champions currently lead the standings with 25 points, while Uruguay sits five points behind in second place.
Since taking charge of Uruguay in May 2023, former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa has guided La Celeste to 12 wins, five draws, and four losses.
Uruguay started their qualifying campaign strongly, winning four of their first six matches. However, they’ve hit a rough patch recently, with just one win in their last six qualifiers.
Still, Uruguay would have been pleased with their performance during the last international break in November, narrowly beating Colombia 3-2 at home before securing a 1-1 draw away against Brazil. These results keep Uruguay comfortably in second place, seven points clear of seventh-placed Bolivia.
Uruguay is well-positioned to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Bielsa is preparing to face Argentina for the fourth time in his managerial career. He previously faced them twice as Chile’s boss (with one win and one draw) and once in the reverse fixture as Uruguay’s coach.
In their last meeting in November 2023, Uruguay secured a memorable 2-0 win in Argentina, thanks to goals from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez—marking their first victory over Argentina since October 2013.
Argentina sits comfortably at the top of the table with 25 points from 12 matches—eight wins, one draw, and three losses.
This form keeps Argentina on track to maintain their remarkable record of reaching every World Cup final since missing out on the 1970 tournament in Mexico.
While their position at the top is solid, Argentina might feel they could have done better, especially after winning just three of their six qualifiers following their Copa America triumph in the USA last summer. All three wins came at home, and Argentina managed only one point from their last three away games in 2024. Their last World Cup qualifying away win remains a 1-0 victory over Brazil in November 2023.
Argentina returns to action after a 1-0 home win over Peru in November, marking their third consecutive home win without conceding. Lionel Messi played a key role in that win, providing the assist for the lone goal.
However, Argentina will face Friday’s match without their legendary captain, as Messi has been left out of Lionel Scaloni’s squad due to injury.
Despite losing to Uruguay in the reverse fixture, Argentina can take comfort from recent history. They’ve won three of their last four matches against Uruguay, including a 1-0 win in Montevideo in their most recent away meeting back in November 2021.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Marcelo Bielsa has made the unusual choice to name a 38-man squad for Uruguay’s upcoming matches against Argentina and Bolivia. With such a large squad, many players will have to focus on training rather than getting any game time.
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte is included in the squad but will miss Friday’s clash against Argentina due to suspension after accumulating yellow cards.
Ronald Araujo is set to make his first international appearance since July, returning after missing Uruguay’s last six World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, who has openly admitted he’s been struggling with his form, will be eager to use the international break to rebuild his confidence. The forward will be hoping to score his first goal for Uruguay since the second group match of last year’s Copa America.
On the Argentine side, Lionel Messi will be sidelined with an adductor injury sustained during Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlanta United on Sunday.
Coach Lionel Scaloni also faces injury issues with Gonzalo Montiel, Giovani Lo Celso, and Paulo Dybala all ruled out of the squad. Adding to Argentina’s problems, Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has withdrawn with a hamstring injury.
With Messi out, Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa will get the honor of wearing Argentina’s iconic number 10 jersey for the next two matches.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Uruguay possible starting lineup:
Rochet; Nandez, R. Araujo, Gimenez, Saracchi; Valverde, Bentancur; Pellistri, Aguirre, M. Araujo; Nunez
Argentina possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Correa, Gonzalez, Alvarez
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Uruguay 2-1 Argentina
